Cleethorpes Town 5 Loughborough Dynamo 4

The Owls battled from behind three times to win an exciting game 5-4 against Loughborough Dynamo. A brace from Scott Vernon plus goals from Ben Clappison, Alex Flett and Josh Batty was enough to see off the dangerous visitors. The victory lifted Clee into the top 3 and extended the unbeaten sequence in competitive fixtures to 9.

More options were available to Dave Smith than at Sutton Coldfield. Aside from the longer-term injuries, only Ben Davies was unavailable and there was a welcome return on the bench for Conor Marshall.

The manager went with a 4-3-3 and the side lined up as follows:

Goal: Theo Richardson
Defence: Tim Lowe, Ben Clappison, Oli Donald, Jon Oglesby
Midfield: Jack Richardson, Alex Flett (c), Lewis Collins
Attack: Brody Robertson, Scott Vernon, Brandon Buckley

Subs: Josh Batty, Jack Boswell, Adam Millson, Conor Marshall, Matt Bloomer

Dynamo had a decent chance to take the lead in the 4th minute. However, keeper Richardson did well to turn away a shot from Norcross. The slick surface encouraged both sides to knock the ball around and Clee struck the first blow with 13 gone.

Flett floated in a corner from the left and Scott Vernon was alert to head in, after away stopper Alexander had missed his punch. Just the boost needed, but if the vast majority of another big crowd was expecting a routine afternoon, a rude awakening was just around the corner.

Loughborough stunned the faithful by striking twice in relatively close order. There was a similarity about both as well. Firstly, Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson controlled a cross from the right and fired into the corner. Then, the scorer turned provider. Once again there was time for a delivery from the right and Alex Steadman guided his side into the lead.

Moments before the visitors’ second, Robertson was denied by Alexander’s outstretched boot, following a fine move. With the break looming, Clee were probing away without creating a gilt-edged chance, Lowe’s charging overlap down the wing being the highlight.

With the rain hammering down, it looked like Clee would trail at half-time. However, the equaliser came with the clock just entering the minute of added time. Another Vernon header caused problems for the keeper, who could only palm it away. Ben Clappison was quick to react to net for the second Saturday in succession.

HT Cleethorpes Town 2 (Vernon 13, Clappison 45+1) Loughborough Dynamo 2 (Fortnam-Tomlinson 15, Steadman 25)

There was a more cagey period at the start of the second 45, with Collins coming closest with a lobbed effort following yet more aerial prowess from the reliable Vernon. This was a false dawn for the defences however, with 5 more goals coming in a sensational 17-minute burst.

In the 65th minute, Robbins knocked the ball down about 10 yards out and Will Norcross drilled home. Not to be outdone, the Owls came roaring back into the thriller with the pick of the day.

A free-kick was awarded at least 35-yards out. Captain Alex Flett, who was in the process of giving a sponsors’ man-of-the-match display, sized up the situation. Not many inside Linden were expecting a shot but the midfielder had other ideas, sending an exquisite curler beyond a startled Alexander.

Hardly time to draw breath before the frenzied encounter reached a crescendo. The excellent Norcross, who had been a real thorn in the defence’s side, won possession on the right to pinpoint Ryan Robbins. The big number 9 did not hesitate in thrashing his side back into the ascendency, to the absolute delight of the small band of travelling fans from Leicestershire.

If Dynamo thought that would be enough to kill off Clee, they had reckoned without the never-say-die attitude from the home team. Barely a couple of minutes had gone by and it was incredibly 4-4! Scott Vernon muscled his way onto a through ball and snaffled his brace.

Just before this action, Josh Batty had been introduced to replace Brandon Buckley and it was to be the substitute who delivered the coup de grace in the 82nd minute.

Picking the ball up just inside the left apex of the box, the striker weaved one way and another searching for an opening. Time seemed to stand still as the shot left Josh Batty’s boot. Possibly with the aid of a deflection, the strike found its target, sparking an explosion of noise inside the stadium.

FT Cleethorpes Town 5 (Vernon 13, 77, Clappison 45, Flett 68, Batty 82) Loughborough Dynamo 4 (Fortnam-Tomlinson 15, Steadman 25, Norcross 65, Robbins 75) Attendance: 335

An incredible game and very pleased to emerge with all the points! Not one that the defences will look back on with much fondness. However, mistakes are part and parcel of the game – it is how you react to them that is important.

We somehow found a way to win against a good attacking side, who must have been as “sick as a parrot” to lose. That’s football!

Man-of-the-match for me was Alex Flett – the usual fully committed display from the captain, capped by a great goal… well played.

Victories breed confidence and we are now unbeaten in competitive action since mid-April. That defeat of course was at Sheffield, who happen to be our next opponents on Tuesday. Bound to a typically hard NPL away game, I have a feeling that we are due a result against them though…

Don’t forget about the executive coach in the FA Cup next Saturday. We will be leaving from Linden at half 10 bound for either Kidsgrove Athletic or Newcastle Town, who replay on Tuesday. It is always a great day on the road with the Owls! The cost is ONLY £10 – book by popping into Linden or email me at secretary@cleethorpestownfc.co.uk

Details:
Tuesday 3rd September – 7.45pm
Sheffield FC – BetVictor Northern Premier League
The Home of Football Stadium, Dronfield Road, Sheffield, S18 2GD

Admission:
Adults £9, Concessions £5

UP THE OWLS!